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Niemann Beats Pragg and Keeps Grand Swiss Hopes Alive

#1
A clutch performance by Hans Niemann in Round 10 of the Grand Swiss 2025! Facing Praggnanandhaa, Niemann navigated a complex middlegame with dynamic counterplay. When Pragg faltered under time pressure, Hans pounced with energetic and fearless play.

This victory not only showcases Niemann's resilience but also keeps him firmly in contention for one of the two Candidates spots. Heading into the final round, he’s now tied for 2nd-4th, and everything is still to play for.

Results Open: grandswiss2025.fide.com/open/
#2
What a performance by Hans Niemann! Beating Pragg is no small feat. He handled the complications of the middlegame extremely well. This win does more than just boost his confidence; it keeps him very much alive in the race for a Candidates spot. Can’t wait to see how this finishes!
#3
Well, that was spicy! Hans just pulled a “don’t count me out” special against Pragg and kept his Grand Swiss dream alive. Pragg is still a monster of course, but today Hans basically said, “Not on my watch.” Now the big question: can he keep the magic going in the final round, or was this just a dramatic cliffhanger? Either way, grab the popcorn because the Grand Swiss is suddenly extra fun!
#5
It's very good. Ideally I would like to see some kind of playoff with tied players instead of the horrible tie-break system.
#7
All tiebreaks are artificial. At least ARO rewards the player who met the strongest opposition. I think it's reasonable for a Swiss where you can have players sneaking up from behind in the last rounds.
#8
Tiebreaks are fine if agreed on at the start of the tournament.
Rapid or blitz playoffs make no sense.
#10
@lizani said in #7:
> At least ARO rewards the player who met the strongest opposition.
So does Buchholz and one might argue that, unlike average opponent rating, it is based on opponents' performance in the tournament rather than their performance in the past.